The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1887-06-25

no SalO III 8OOu EngIlSn, put
see that your excellency is already
ON his way to the palace. The
president will be delighted, but
your exccllency must not walk
Permit me-" and taking the be-
wildered Dumble by the arm he
pushed him into the carriage before
there was time for remonstrance.
| 1t spite Of his cooked hat and
sword. Dumble felt his knees shak-
ing together. What could it mean
Was he about to be conducted into
the presence of President Barrios
During the next five minutes he
saw everything through a haze.
He was vaguely conscious OF sub
niissively allowing himself to be
escorted from the carriage through
spacious grounds into an imposing
building, where he found himself
in a library, acknowledging in a
confused way the greetings of a
handsome, dark-faced, seldierly-
looking man.
Mr.. Dumble was now fully alive
to the peril of his situation. There
was nothing to be done but to act
guardedly, and end the visit sud
denly by pleading illness. For
several minutes the conversation
was purely general and the visitor
was still in the dark as to the real
nature Of the case. The president
addressed him sometimes as Your
Excellency" and sometimes as
"Sir John"
"He takes me for Britisher," :"
Dumble thought, "some envoy ex-
traordinary or minister who has
just arrived"
Concerning the loan,' said the
president, "what does your excel
lency suggest?"
Dumble broke out into a cold
perspiration. What loan? He
was at sea. He could only stare
stupidity at Barrios.
"Ah, l sce," continued the presi-
dent, smiling, "your excellency
would first hear proposition from
meW
"Ur-r-I think it would suit me
BETTER" replied the puzzled Bos
tonian.
"very WE'LL" was the response.
" l must tell you plainly that Guat-
emala cannot redeem the bonds.
Now this Indebtedness should not
be a matter of vital Importance to
your government since it is due to
private citizens, various bankers
and capitalists of London"
England has always protected
her citizens in such cases." was
Mr.. Dumble's spirited reply.
True" said Barrios, "and / ad-
mire your government for it, but if
/ tell you that the best we can do is
to issue new bonds, running ten
and twenty years longer at 4 per
cent do you not think-?"
ooh, yes," was the ready answer
of the impostor, THAT is good
enough. am in favor of it,"
"You arer exclaimed the presi-
dent. "Well, Sir John, it appears
to me that the whole business is
settled"
What Dumble would have said
will never be known. Just at that
moment a short, stout man in the
plain dress Of a citizen forced his
way past the sentry at the door,
and through the anteroom into the
library. The instant his eye rested
on Dumblc he came near explod-
ing with indignation.
"Mr. President" he yelled to
Barrios, that-that scoundrel !"
Silence, sir !" interrupted the
president. "Do not speak in that
style of Sir John Roscoe, the Brit
ish envoy extraordinary"
."But, Mr.. President" responded
the intruder, IL am Sir John Ros-
coe, and that fellow there is a
id yankee bumming around in
my court suit.
Gentlemen % cried Dumble,
"allow me to explain"
"Mr. President, l must be heard"
haughtily said Sir John. Il ar
rived late last night and stopped at
the Hotel Bolivar. This morning
| found that my court dress had
been stolen. l was informed that
this yankee occupied the chamber
next to my dressing room. and the
fact that he was missing excited my
suspicion. Now l find him here in
the presidents palace unblushingly
wearing my costume. Am | not
warranted in demanding his ar
rest?"
Barrios turned toward the crest
fallen Dumble. His face was black
with wrath and he was about to
cay something severe when his pri-
vate secretary rushed i'll.
"Mr. President" he gasped, "and
YOU, gentlemen, am just in time,
1 hope, with an explanation that
will relieve all of us. The landlord
of the Hotel Bolivar informs me
that this gentleman, Mr.. Dumble,
was robbed of his garments last
-. VI- - a, ~. - v,,opninu